The death of another tusker, Bhathiya, following injuries suspected to form multiple gunshots has once again returned to the tragic situation of Sri Lanka’s Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), under the gaze of public scrutiny.  

With casualties mounting amongst both humans and elephants, it is evident that the majestic four-legged creatures are suffering disproportionately from the conflict due to the use of firearms and explosive devices by certain citizens. One of the key issues is the use of ‘trap-guns’ which have a long history in the island since early colonisation to today, with animals and humans both suffering injuries and deaths.

Trap guns are illegal, yet widely used by many, mainly for ‘crop protection’, but also for hunting and protecting illicit crops such as ganja plantations.  The widespread use of ‘trap-guns’ evident by the bloody trail of injuries and deaths it causes, and by a large volume of such firearms confiscated by the Department of Police over the last year, is indicative of the scale of the crisis. However, there are no recent survey reports indicating the scale of the crisis, which is accessible to the public. Trap guns proliferate easily due to their simplicity, they can be made by village blacksmiths or by people who are willing to invest time and effort to create them. Most of the components are sourced from recycled metal and tubular parts and pipes. Use in concealed locations, the trap guns cause serious injuries or death. According to a 2020 study, of a total of 53 persons who suffered from trap gun injury in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka in that year – more than 64% of those suffered serious or severe injuries while injury to the lower limb accounts for 88%. The study pointed out that amongst human victims’ trap gun injuries were likely to have a major economic impact on their families.  Most of the patients suffered moderate to severe injuries. Such injuries were likely to result in permanent disability. Therefore, they result in an enormous health, mobility and economic burden on the victims and their communities. We know this as human victims are often rushed to hospital and there is data to identify and quantify the impact. However, no such mechanism – an effective one – is available for wildlife like Bhathiya and others who are increasingly squeezed out to their habitats by human encroachment. 

The impact on wildlife doesn’t end there. There are also snares and other traditional traps which are laid indiscriminately. Beyond that, there is a trend of using improvised explosive devices to wound or kill wildlife who encroach into plantations or crop fields. These devices, which are also illegal, cause horrific injuries and suffering for animals such as wild boar, leopards and elephants. This is the grim reality the Sri Lankan wildlife is facing. According to experts, in many instances, explosives are concealed within food baits or placed directly along animal trails. These devices inflict devastating injuries on animals. They also pose a serious risk to forest officers, campers, trackers and villagers. Children unknowingly trigger a trap. Several incidents have also resulted in injuries to domestic animals and people living near forests. This situation highlights the urgent need for a well-debated comprehensive set of solutions for habitat loss and the resulting HEC and crop-damage issues. It also highlights the need for robust public awareness and community engagement to address the issue. Many people still perceive these killings as isolated incidents or traditional practices linked to subsistence. However, the growing demand for bushmeat and illegal wildlife products has worsened the situation. According to experts, the ecological consequences of losing these key species are vast, impact biodiversity, agriculture and tourism.

As such, the Government and communities must act in unison, with the State taking the lead to make policy on the issue based on scientific evidence and expert consultation, before Sri Lanka’s fragile but vibrant ecosystem is forever scarred.